THE MERCHANT CLASS

Gold Update (v3.0) Changelog

GENERAL CLASS FEATURES

• Added new artwork.
• Adapted layout for my personal trade dress. PORTABLE STOREFRONT
• Fixed a few typos.
Using the Storefront and Restocking mechanically

ADDITIONS
functions the exact same, but the information has
been reorganized to make it easier to understand.
ARCHITECT MERCHANT GUILD
SPELLCASTING
GROCER MERCHANT GUILD GOLD REQUIRED (CORRECTION)
NEW SPELLS An old version of this text remained in the
previous update. It has been changed to its
• Doohickey intention of working as a spellcasting focus.
• Exchange
SPELL LIST
• Fondue Fountain
• Added: control flames, exchange, fool’s gold
• Fool’s Gold
Tagmay’s thermal container
• Land Grab
• Removed: grease, heat metal
• Light Bulb
• Mineral Wealth BANG FOR YOUR BUCK
• Popping Corn
Added text to clarify this feature does not work
• Tagmay’s thermal container
with items that use the Attack action.
NPC STATBLOCKS
TOP SHELF (BUFFS & NERFS)
Your number of free magic items is now equal to
your proficiency bonus rather than your Charisma
modifier, as to provide a consistent and predictable
scaling gradient.

USE AN EXTRA OBJECT

I’ve fought myself constantly about the wording on
this feature, because I’ve heard about a dozen
different interpretations of how this mechanic
“should be worded.” I think the current version is
the most clear, and makes sense to a majority of
people.
BACKSTOCK
Added “in gold pieces” to the second sentence of
the second paragraph.
BUSINESS TYCOON
I honestly cannot explain why I had this tied into
“reaction to rolling initiative” other than it’s a
typical capstone wording. Its current version is
effectively a freebie restock of your Portable
Storefront once a week.
SUBCLASSES
APOTHECARY
I’m actually incredibly happy with the reception
the Apothecary has gotten, so I’m leaving it as-is.
BLACKSMITH
REGARDING: HEART OF THE FORGE
Players have been asking me to change this to
Charisma instead of Constitution because it feels
sub-optimal that it doesn’t build off of your
spellcasting ability. The Blacksmith is meant to be
the major gish for the merchant, and this likely
only being a -2/3/4 damage reduction is
intentional.
ARMS DEALER
Removed the gilded touch cantrip in favor of heavy
armor and weapons proficiency.
Playtest feedback was saying the blacksmith’s
features were interesting, but also kind of lacking in
combat. It always felt odd that I couldn’t justify the
armor merchant not getting heavy armor
proficiency, but on a class that only got light armor
coming out at 1st, it was an odd design path.
Considering Retool Enchantments is a purely out-
of-combat ability, I feel as though this downtime-
based proficiency might be reasonable. May get
pulled back in at a later date.
SMASH AND GRAB
The misinterpretations of this feature from
playtest lead me to just rework it entirely. Now it’s
more like a Merchant/Battle Magic equivalent.
FORGEMASTER
Added the bond property.
ESOTERICIST
I’m actually remarkably shocked this one hasn’t
had any questions concerning Page Master. I
originally felt like most DMs would look at this and
“nope” out, especially considering Order of Scribes
GAMBLER
The Gambler received a revision following feedback
that the Cardistry feature was overwhelmingly fun,
but simply wasn’t built-upon after 3rd level.
JACKPOT
New feature to add the “casino reel” feel to the
subclass.
DOUBLE OR NOTHING
New feature which enhances the support playstyle
with strategic card-counting and luck.
THE HOUSE ALWAYS WINS
New subclass capstone.
MARINER
SHIP-SHAPE
Ross wrote a fantastic reaction for the Architect
that feels like it needed to be core for any
structure/object-based character options. It felt a
lot like what I initially had here, but just negotiated
so much cleaner in the action economy.
PET DEALER
DOMESTICATE
Now includes text specifying maximum CR for a
successful Animal Handling check.

SWINDLER

MISDIRECTION
Now includes text to limit the size of the object
you can swap with this feature.